Champions League 2024/25 Predictions: Round of 16 second leg: 12/03/2025
Will Atletico Madrid stun their city rivals, Real Madrid, when they host the Whites at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium for the second leg? Diego Simeone’s side succumbed to a tight 2-1 defeat in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and now they must beat Real by at least a single goal to drag the tie to extra time and possibly a penalty shootout.
Following their easy victories in the first leg, Arsenal and Aston Villa have already advanced to the quarterfinals, but they must remain alert against PSV and Club Brugge, respectively, as football has a unique ability to surprise everyone.
This week’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg predictions were based on current form, data, and expert knowledge.
UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg predictions: 12/03/2025
Borussia Dortmund will go through to the next round: Lille vs Dortmund
- Date: 12/03/2025
- Kick-off: 18:45
- Dortmund have played better as visitors in the Champions League this term, and they may repeat the same in France.
Lille held Dortmund to a frustrating 1-1 draw in Germany and hold the advantage to advance to the next round, but the Bundesliga side impresses as much in away games. Dortmund thrashed Sporting CP 3-0 away from home in the playoff and drew at home in the return leg. We might be about to witness the same scenario in the upcoming game, as Lille aren’t in solid form to think otherwise.
Lille vs Dortmund prediction: Away team to win
Aston Villa and Club Brugge to exchange goals: Aston Villa vs Club Brugge
- Date: 12/03/2025
- Kick-off: 21:00
- Club Brugge may have underperformed in front of their fans, but we expect them to put in a good shift away from home.
Aston Villa won the first leg 3-1 away from home, but what are the chances of the Premier League side keeping a clean sheet against a Club Brugge side that scored at home and away against Atalanta in the playoff and against Manchester City in Manchester? Very slim.
Aston Villa vs Club Brugge prediction: Both teams to score - yes
Arsenal to advance to the next round: Arsenal vs PSV
- Date: 12/03/2025
- Kick-off: 21:00
- Arsenal destroyed PSV in the Netherlands in the first leg, and we expect the same utter dominance in England.
Arsenal haven’t lost a UCL game at home this season, and with PSV struggling to dominate games recently, there’s a huge chance Mikel Arteta’s side will remain unbeaten at the Emirates at this stage. Arsenal secured a 7-1 victory in the first leg away from home, and given the significant margin, we doubt PSV will make a strong effort to reverse the trend and secure the victory in England.
Arsenal vs PSV prediction: Home team to win
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid to exchange goals: Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid
- Date: 12/03/2025
- Kick-off: 21:00
- Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are fond of getting on the score sheet when they come up against each other, and the upcoming game may be as exciting as the first leg.
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have a very long list of previous meetings across all competitions, but it is rather wise to analyse their last ten meetings in all competitions. Both teams scored in each of their last ten meetings across all competitions, including in the first leg that ended in a 2-1 win for the Whites. There’s no reason not to anticipate the same from the upcoming game.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid prediction: Both teams to score - yes
